Toronto & Mississauga Locations
A DSO (Developmental Services Ontario) assessment is an evaluation process used to determine an individual’s eligibility for government-funded adult developmental services in Ontario. It is a functional assessment that examines an individual’s intellectual and adaptive functioning to ensure they meet the provincial criteria for a developmental disability.
To qualify, generally, the individual must demonstrate significantly below-average intellectual functioning, adaptive impairments, and evidence that the disability was present before age 18. If deemed eligible, the person gains access to various support services, including housing, community programs, employment support, and personal care assistance.
To address the question of DSO eligibility, the assessment will include a thorough intake and review of psychological and educational records, standardized testing (IQ for cognitive ability, adaptive functioning measures to assess skills such as communication, self-care, and daily living abilities, and some academic items), and thorough feedback with the psychologist to discuss the results.
This service is provided at a reduced cost of $1,750.00.
The assessment results will determine the individual’s eligibility for DSO services in Ontario and can be used as part of their application process for receiving those services.
DSO assessments are limited in scope to address the specific question of DSO eligibility.
In contrast, our comprehensive psychoeducational assessments are intended to address learning related challenges, including Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and socio-emotional difficulties, which include additional testing around academic progress, memory and mental health.
As our primary service, we continue to offer comprehensive psychoeducational assessments intended to address learning, attentional and mental health challenges.
The Developmental Services Ontario website has all the information you need to get started:
https://www.dsontario.ca/how-to-access-services
First appointment is in-person at either our Toronto or Mississauga office and involves the intake and testing portions of the assessment, typically up to 3 hours.
After testing is complete, the information provided will be analyzed and a report written.
The final appointment will be with the Registered Psychologist to discuss the results and recommendations. This appointment will be held via video or phone. Following the appointment, arrangements will be made to provide the full written report along with the DSO checklist.
